Dining out may soon become costlier in Kerala as a price hike by hotels and restaurants appears inevitable after State-owned oil marketing companies announced a steep increase of ₹993 for 19-kg commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, effective May 1.
With the latest hike, the price of a commercial cooking gas cylinder has crossed ₹3,000 in cities such as Kochi, where it reportedly fetches over ₹3,400 in the black market. The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA), with over 60,000 members, has called for a State-wide shutdown on May 6 in protest against the hike, which it said has dealt a severe blow to the hotel industry and will impact consumers. The association has sent letters to oil companies and the Union government requesting a review of the decision.